February–How do you pronounce it?

“February–How do you pronounce it?” by Linda Martin Andersen Think of February, and you’ll probably think of Valentine’s Day and love.  What is love?  Ask 10 people and you’ll probably get 10 different answers.  But that’s not all, we can’t even decide how to pronounce the month of love–February.  Oh my! According to  Merriam-Webster.com, two pronunciations are listed for February: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/February I found several different pronunciations for February on You Tube sites. One thing I can say for sure, there are lots of things to celebrate in February.  I hope you’ll plan fun things to do on many different days.

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February is…

• American Heart Month–Just recently, a friend told me that someone she knew had received a pacemaker.  Do you know anyone with one?  Or someone who has had heart bypass surgery?  A heart transplant?  What heart healthy tips do you know and follow?
• Bake for Family Fun Month–What do you and your family cook/bake together?  Ask friends what they prepare together.  Try something new. 
• Dog Training Education Month–Has one of your pets attended obedience school?  What did he learn? What did you learn?
• International Expect Success Month–My parents always expected success in my schooling.  What are some ways this is shown?
• Library Lovers Month–Check out a stack of library books. Choose a picture book author you haven’t read and binge on their words.  No need to worry about calories either!
• Love The Bus Month–I used to drive a school bus when I was a high school student.  Would you want to be a bus driver?  What would be something good about it?  Not so good? 
• National Bird Feeding Month–What kind of birds are seen in your area this time of year? 
• National Black History Month–Check a library’s display and find a book on this topic that you haven’t read.  Read it and share what you learn with someone.  Attend special planned events in your area. 
• National Cherry Month–I displayed artificial cherries in a container for a table centerpiece before I even knew this was national cherry month.  Eat cherry products this month.  What will you choose to eat that contains cherries?
• National Children’s Dental Health Month–Is it time for a new toothbrush, dental floss, mouth rinse, etc?  Do you need to make an appointment with the dentist.  Don’t delay!
• National Haiku Writing Month–Thanks to all who write and post poems! 
• National Hot Breakfast Month–My grandson made pancakes for his mom.  Now that’s sweet.  What hot breakfast has someone made for you?
• National Mend A Broken Heart Month–How would you suggest mending a broken heart?  Whatever you do, don’t send all the kings’ horses and all the kings’ men.  We all know that doesn’t work. 
• National Time Management Month–Do you often say, “I didn’t have enough time?”  Is there anything that can be done about it?  What time management skills are your strengths? What skills need improvement?  Who or what can help?
• National Women Inventors Month–Can you name three women inventors in a minute?  Ask a friend the same thing.  If the answer is “No,” research.  Set a goal to learn about at least three woman inventors and what they invented. Which one inspires you and why?
• Plant the Seeds of Greatness Month–What are seeds of greatness?   What seeds of greatness are you growing?
• Youth Leadership Month–Name a youth leader you admire.  Tell why?

 

 Special Weeks in February

• Boy Scout Anniversary Week: 1-7 Thank a Boy Scout and any troop leader for their dedication to the scouting program.
• Children’s Authors & Illustrators Week: 1-7 (First Full Week) Buy or check out books by an author you haven’t read or an illustrator you don’t know.  Look for their website, with parent permission.
• National School Counseling Week: 2-6 Do you have a school counselor?  Introduce yourself to this person if you haven’t already.  Ask about her job or thank the counselor for what she does.  Can you name one or more of her duties?
• Random Acts of Kindness Week: 9-15  Think of some kind act you can do for several people.  Challenge yourself by choosing someone other than a friend.
• International Friendship Week: 9-13  Think about the character traits of your friends?  Do they all have one or more in common?  What traits are these? 
• National Pancake Week: 15-21  What’s your favorite variety? How could you decorate pancakes for a friend or a family member? 
• Texas Cowboy Poetry Week: 27-28  What is cowboy poetry?  Have you ever read any?  Do you have to live in Texas to write cowboy poetry? 

 

Special Days in February

• G.I. Joe Day: 1  Who is G.I. Joe?  Why do you think he was popular?  Is he still popular?  How do you know?
• Popcorn Day: 1  What is your favorite brand of microwave popcorn?  Have you ever tried an experiment to see which brand pops the most kernels?  It makes a fun science project. 
• Robinson Crusoe Day: 1  If you could meet Robinson Crusoe, what would you invite him to do and why?  Do you think he’d enjoy his day?
• Super Bowl XLIX: 1  Can you read this numeral?  What kind of numeral is it?  What others do you know?
• Groundhog Day: 2  Which would you rather see:  a groundhog or a sled dog?  Where might you find each one?
• Sled Dog Day: 2  Name ways sled dogs are used.  Have you ever seen a sled dog or watched a television program about sled dogs?
• World Play Your Ukulele Day: 2  What does a ukulele look like?  Have you heard one played?  Where could you hear one?
• World Wetlands Day: 2 Have you ever been in an area declared as a wetlands?  What does that mean?
• Weatherman’s [Weatherperson’s] Day: 5  Does your family watch the weather, read forecasts in the newspaper or online?  When has the weatherman’s forecast helped you plan for your day?
• Canadian Maple Syrup Day: 6 Check your syrup.  Is it Maple Syrup?  Is it Canadian Maple Syrup?  What is your favorite way to eat syrup? 
• National Doodle Day: 6 What do you like to doodle?  What do you doodle?  Do you doodle while you take notes in class?  Why or why not?
• Bubble Gum Day: 6 Ask your friends to name their favorite flavors of bubble gum.  Favorite brands too.  Do you prefer chewing gum or bubble gum?  Why?
• Girl Scout Cookie Day: 6 What is your favorite flavor Girl Scout cookie?  Have you ever given these as a gift? 
• Give Kids A Smile Day: 6  Adults:  Can you make a child smile?  Kids:  Can you make an adult smile?  Why do we sometimes try to hold in a smile?
• Ice Cream For Breakfast Day: 7  If you were going to have ice cream for breakfast, what breakfast food flavor would you like to have?
• Ballet Day: 7  Name a favorite ballerina book.  What animal would you like to see star as a ballerina in a book?  Draw the scene you are imagining.
• Autism Sunday: 8 Do you know anyone who has autism?  Name things that are difficult for this person.  Have you ever helped another student in class?
• Take Your Child To The Library Day: 7  When was the last time you went to the public library?  What is your favorite section there?  How many books do you usually check out?
• National Stop Bullying Day: 9 Do you think there is more or less bullying today?  Why?  What do you think would help stop bullying?
• Read in the Bathtub Day: 9 What’s better than bubbles in the tub?  Books of course!  That is, if the tub is dry or you’re extra careful one!  What type books do you think would be just right for reading in the bathtub?  Why?
• Extraterrestrial Visitor Day: 10 Can you imagine yourself as a friend to an extraterrestrial?  What do you think you might both enjoy? 
• Don’t Cry Over Spilled Milk Day: 11  What do you think this expression means? Ask an adult.  Think of it when you pour your milk.
• Get Out Your Guitar Day: 11  Can you play guitar?  Do you wish you could play in a band?  What instrument would you like to play?  Have you ever taken lessons?
• National Shut-in Visitation Day: 11  Who is a shut-in?  Do you think all people in nursing homes are shut-ins?  Why or why not?
• Lincoln’s Birthday: 12 Describe Abraham Lincoln to someone and see if the person can name him from your clues.  Which clue do you think was best?
• Paul Bunyan Day: 12 (Born Feb. 12, 1834 in Bangor, ME) Read a book about Paul Bunyan  today.    Describe the setting for his stories.  Why do you think Paul Bunyan tales are still told today?
• Blame Someone Else Day: 13 Name a time when someone else blamed you for something you didn’t do?  Can you also name a time when you blamed someone else for something you did?  Why do you think people do this?
• National Donor Day: 14  My husband is a lung transplant recipient.  Do you know what that means?  Do you know about organ donation?
• Valentine’s Day: 14  Smile every time you wish someone Happy Valentine’s Day.  Will you make cards or give gifts today?
• World Whale Day: 14 What does it mean to make today “a whale of a day?”  Do you have favorite whale books or stories?  Share them today.
• National Hippo Day: 15 Why do you think we call a hippopotamus a “hippo?”  What does it mean to say someone looks like a hippo?  Is that a compliment or an insult?  Why?
• Presidents Day: 16  How can you celebrate George Washington and Abraham Lincoln today?  Other presidents?  Perhaps you’d like to research one of them. 
• My Way Day: 17  If you could have your way all day today, what would that look like?  Would it make you happy?  Would it make others happy too?
• World Thinking Day: 22 What can you think on today about our world?  Are there any changes you are willing to make?  What are they?
• George Washington’s Birthday: 22  Where do you see this person’s picture?  What comes to mind when you hear his name?
• Inconvenience Yourself Day: 25 Why would anyone be willing to inconvenience themselves?  Name a way you are willing to do this today.
• For Pete’s Sake Day: 26  What do you think “for Pete’s sake” means?  Ask an adult.  Have you ever heard it said?  Why do you think someone said this instead of something else?
• National Tooth Fairy Day: 28  What is the most money the tooth fairy ever left you?  Do you have any loose teeth?  Tell about a time someone helped you pull a loose tooth. 

What special things will you choose to do this month?  Please leave a comment below.  Thanks for visiting “A Writer’s Playground.”  Come again soon and bring a friend. Children 13 years old or older may leave a comment. Read more about the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act. (COPPA) See: http://www.coppa.org/coppa.htm